US troops to take part in Cobra Gold 2022 at Pranburi army camp

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

A BATCH OF 350 Thai and United States soldiers will be provided a combat training ground under the Cobra Gold 2022 joint military exercise at an army camp in Prachuap Khiri Khan next month, officials said today (Jan. 26).

Thailand’s Infantry Centre at Fort Thanarat in Pranburi area of the western province will provide the field training exercise for the 350 troops, including 200 Thai soldiers and 150 US soldiers, from February 20 until March 4.

Nevertheless, the provincial pandemic control committee has required all the Cobra Gold 2022 trainees to have been fully vaccinated and to be screened for Covid within 24 hours with the US troops having undergone the seven-day alternative state quarantine process before entering the training camp, the officials said. The US troops will be provided the Bubble and Seal measures during the joint exercise period.

Over 10,000 US troops along with naval vessels, combat aircraft and weapon systems will reportedly take part in Cobra Gold 2022 in Sattahip and other areas of Thailand apart from Pranburi. 

Cobra Gold 2022, viewed as a Heavy Year in apparent response to China’s naval force deployment in the South China Sea, will see Thailand and the US as major participants among other states namely Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Cobra Gold got started in 1982 and is yet known as the largest international military exercise in Southeast Asia.  

Meanwhile, restaurants in a neighbouring Hua Hin beach resort which may have passed the Thailand Safety and Health Administration Plus criteria are currently allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to customers until 11 p.m. under the anti-pandemic measures, they said. 

But restaurants in other areas throughout Prachuap Khiri Khan are not legally allowed to serve alcoholic beverages during any hours for the time being. 

CAPTIONS:

Top: Servicemembers attend the Cobra Gold opening ceremony at Camp Akatotsain, Phitsanulok province, on Feb. 12, 2019. Photo: Kyle Talbot/ US Marine Corps and published by Stars and Stripes

Home Page: Royal Thai Marine Prasansai Pairoj shows American, Thai and South Korean troops how to find water during jungle survival training at Cobra Gold drills in Sattahip. Photo: Ismael Pena/US Marine Corps and published by  Stars and Stripes